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1 John 4:1-21
“No Fear Fellowship”
When you read John’s Epistles in one sitting what you will find is a lot of repetition.
Especially when John writes chapter 4.
Chapter 4:1-6 is about the false prophets and the antichrists who do not recognise that Jesus has come in the flesh.
John wrote extensively about that in chapter 2
Chapter 4:7-21 talks about the love of God.
An atoning love.
The need to acknowledge the name of Jesus to receive that love.
The need to show that love to brothers and sisters in Christ.
All topics that have been extensively covered by John since chapter 1.
When we remember this letter is not really that long in the first place, why does John have so much repetition? Part of the answer can be found in the words which Jesus wrote to the church in Ephesians.
Revelation 2:1-4
1 ‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first.
Jesus writes to the church to encourage them … and commend aspects of their spiritual life … and even celebrate what God is doing through them.
But Jesus is also concerned about an aspect of their spiritual relationship which they have put into the back of their spiritual cupboard. There is something about the love of the Ephesians that has gone stale. That is why Jesus writes to the church of Ephesus. To remind them, again, of an aspect of their relationship with Him that they have forgotten. By employing the use of repetition John is taking a similar approach. John really wants us to unpack the significance of God’s love.
By this time John is old. John is the last of the original 12 apostles who is still alive. As a result of that longevity John has been able to observe what can happen when believers have been walking with Jesus for a long time. Through that observation John has seen how easy it is for those who are doing really well in their spiritual relationship with Jesus to take important aspects of their relationship with God and put them on the back shelf in their spiritual cupboard.
Even when it comes to the love of God for us in Jesus. Which is such a foundational aspect of our relationship with Jesus. Even here we can forget just how significant that love is.
So, this morning, we are going to focus on the impact of the love of Jesus for us.
Specifically, we are going to remind ourselves of the eternally transformative nature of God’s love as described in 1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
When we know the love of God in our lives, that love will remove any fear that we feel between ourselves and God.
No fear fellowship … with God. That is what knowing the love of God gives us.
Now, already some of us may be thinking, “Wait a moment. What about these Scriptures?”
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
Proverbs 1:7
13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17
These verses, and many like them, that talk about fearing the Lord.
This is “reverential fear”. Being in “awe” of God.
God is the Creator … all Sovereign … Majestic … powerful beyond imagination.
When we see His works and acts we can’t help but be in awe, and even a bit afraid.
On one occasion Jesus fell asleep in a boat in the middle of the storm that was so ferocious even the life-long fishermen were worried they were going to drown.
So, in their fear, they woke Jesus who got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
How did the disciples react to this powerful work?
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”
Mark 4:41
That is fear, expressing itself in awe.
Reverential fear – it arises when we compare ourselves to God and realise … we are nothing.
So we fear the Lord, because from Him comes all spiritual knowledge …. our spiritual knowledge is nothing. Worse than nothing.
And we fear God because His commands bring life … and our petty rules and laws bring us to nothing.
We stand in awe, and keep standing in awe, because of what Jesus has done and continues to do for us.
The power which He uses for our salvation. His majesty which is expressed in humbling Himself as a servant. The fact that He even bothers with people like us.
These realities will keep leading to reverence and awe.
As an outflowing of this reverential fear we are also confronted by the magnitude of the consequences of what happens to us if we don’t put our faith in Jesus for salvation.
We know God is the Creator.
We know His power and might and authority.
And we had the audacity to sin against Him.
We chose to reject His authority and proclaim ourselves as the ones who knew better.
Such choices have consequences. Jesus describes the consequences in Luke 12:4-5
4 ‘I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.
There is a fear that arises between us and God which is different to reverential fear.
When we first read theses verses we could find ourselves thinking the “him” we need to fear is Satan. Satan indeed has a power that could cause us to be afraid.
12 Those (talking about the seed sown) along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Luke 8:12
Satan can snatch away the word from the hearts of people … that is incredible power.
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, Jesus too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil.
Hebrews 2:14
Satan holds the power of death … that is a lot of power
9 The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient snake called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelation 12:9
Satan is able to lead the whole world astray … you need a lot of power to do that.
As we read these verses made sure you also see the assurance of victory that comes through the person and work of Jesus.
Jesus can break the power of death.
Satan has been hurled down.
Ultimately Satan will have no authority.
But, even with that victory secured, the power of Satan is still extensive.
When we stand in the spiritual battle we are in a spiritual struggle
… against rulers.
… against the authorities.
… against the powers of this dark world.
… against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
In this spiritual struggle the focussed agenda of this evil spiritual conglomeration is to do all they can to achieve the goal of destroying both soul and body in hell.
The powers of evil want to do everything to ensure you end up in the place of punishment.
However
… and this is essential to understand.
… not one of the evil spiritual forces has the authority to throw you into hell.
Not one.
The only one who has authority to throw you in hell … into the lake of fire … is God.
God is the One who writes … or doesn’t write … your name in the book of life.
God is the One who determines our eternal destiny.
God is the One who makes the judgement.
God is the One who determines if there is going to be a punishment.
When we are not in a salvation relationship with God through Jesus we should fear.
Fearing the eternal consequences of being sinners in the hands of and angry God.
BUT that fear … the fear which comes with eternal punishment.
That fear is only for those who are not in a relationship with Jesus.
Once we are a relationship with Jesus the fear-narrative is transformed.
Let’s go back to Luke 12
4 ‘I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.
And then Jesus goes on and says
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:4-7
The only appropriate response to the news that God has authority to throw us into hell is a response of fear.
However, the salvation message of Jesus is that there is a way for this fear to be transformed.
From fear.
To not being afraid.
The fear narrative is transformed.
Jesus describes this transformation by the use of a maths equation … an equation which demonstrates how God uses His authority.
The coins described as “two pennies” were basically equal to how much you would pay a day labourer for two hours of work. Not insignificant, but not substantial.
The God of love says – do the math.
See how little worth the sparrows are … and I care for them.
Aren’t you worth so much more?
Of course we are! Because there is no other created creature who has a soul. There is no other created creature who is in the image of God except for us.
We are worth so much more than any creature on earth.
Yes, we are sinful. Yes, we need atonement. Yes, we are nothing.
And God could choose to leave us in a perpetual state of fear
… coming against us with treats of punishment.
… constantly raging against our lack of worthiness.
… crushing us and making us feel like worms.
But God comes to us and says “I have put in place a plan which is able to transforms this fear narrative.”
There is a plan that enables certain people … not everyone … but certain people to have the fear of being thrown into hell removed.
The answer is in Luke 12:4, “I tell you My Friends”
Friends of Jesus … they are the ones who can have the fear narrative transformed.
Friends of Jesus are the ones who understand the sacrifice that Jesus has made for them.
The friends of Jesus are the ones who hear Jesus say,
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13
We become a friend of Jesus when we accept that His sacrifice for us is the only way to eternal life.
Calling on the name of Jesus, the friend who laid down His life, so that we can be saved and known eternally as the friends of Jesus.
That is the love which enables the fear narrative to be transformed. In the wider context John describes it this way.
1 John 4:9-10
9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His One and Only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus the atoning sacrifice.
As an atonement Jesus offers to pay our sin and our debt.
As an atonement Jesus takes our place and takes our punishment.
God’s anger over our sin is directed away from us and put onto Jesus. Jesus pays the price for our sin, and the wrath of God towards us is removed.
As a result of this atonement the guilty sinner who trusts in Christ gets to go free.
That is what the death of Jesus … Jesus laying down His life for His friends …that is what the death of Jesus accomplishes.
A death where Jesus was able to cry out, “It is finished”. What is finished?
Among so many answers one thing that comes to a finish is the fear that exists in our relationship with God.
1 John 4:17-18
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: in this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
The complete love of Jesus to us means that, when the day of judgement comes … we don’t have to fear being thrown into hell.
Instead, we have confidence.
No fear fellowship … from the moment we believe and confess that Jesus has laid down His life for us and made us His friend.
From that moment the fear narrative is transformed.
And, from that moment, the fear narrative stays transformed.
Once we are in Christ no-fear fellowship continues to be a defining transformative characteristic in our ongoing relationship with Jesus.
That continues to be the case right up to the day of judgement … no matter how long it takes for us to get there.
The love of Jesus in our lives continues to keep us in a “no-fear” relationship with the One who has authority to throw us into hell.
Congregation this is a truth we need to hear because it is a truth that is so easy to put into the spiritual cupboard and forget.
For how often do we find ourselves in those moments where we say,
… I’m such a terrible witness for Jesus.
… I am hiding my light.
… and I know I am a hypocrite.
I’m such a hopeless Christian. God must be so disappointed.
That is fear speaking. And we forget that our relationship through Jesus brings “no fear” fellowship.
In those moments when we are crushing ourselves with our own criticism.
God comes along and says, “That is not how I want My relationship with you to unfold.”
“I love you.” “My love is made complete in you”.
Don’t go through your Christian life thinking you are hopeless and useless beyond repair.
No fear. That is why I sent my Son.
When we have those moments when we feel imprisoned by the questions of failure.
Lord am I good enough?
Have I done enough?
Am I faithful enough?
The Lord comes along and says “Well actually you are not good enough. And you are not faithful enough. But I don’t love you because you are enough. I love you because I love you.”
And I don’t want you to fear.
Let my perfect love drive away the fear.
We’re ashamed. We doubt. We question.
There is no punishment. There is no fear.
We have stumbled. We have secret sins. We stand at times in the world.
There is no punishment. There is no fear.
I know there are people who really struggle with accepting that this is the kind of love God is willing to give.
How can God love me … I don’t even love myself.
They look at themselves
… every doubt.
… every grief.
… every heartbreak.
… every brokenness.
… every self talk where you push yourself down.
They look at the reality of their ongoing sin and say, “I need to be punished”.
That may be our way … but that is not God way … not ever.
If that is where we are, then we need to hear the repeated teaching of John once again.
When we know the love of God in our lives, that love will remove any fear that we feel between ourselves and God.
Yes He is the One who has the authority to throw people into hell.
Yes He is the God who has all authority
… who is all powerful.
… all sovereign.
… worthy of all praise from all of creation.
… worthy of all reverent fear.
That is all true.
But He is also the God who sent His Son, who laid down His life, so I can eternally be called the friend of Jesus.
The punishment is paid.
This is the love of Jesus in action.
Such love … it drives out all fear.
A no-fear of being thrown into hell transformation becomes a defining characteristic of my relationship.
No fear fellowship … from now … through judgement day … and into eternity.
Prayer
